Chapter 627: It's Mine, No One Can Take It

Wu An nodded.

Wu Ping said, "I know this; we've been discussing it. It's held every year, but those called 'outstanding youths' are all older than me."

"Year after year, honestly, no pretense—what kind of people are they selecting!"

He raised his voice as he spoke.

He was clearly also quite resentful about it.

Wu Yingwei cursed, "Exactly, they've lost all sense."

Wu An remained calm, feigning ignorance, and asked, "Father, where did this start?"

Wu Yingwei said, "The town asked me to write the paperwork, recommending Shen Nan."

Everyone was stunned; Wu Ping asked, "Father, if our village had a slot, no matter how you look at it, A An would be more qualified, right?"

"A An's deeds are evident to all."

"Shen Nan has only just signed a contract; what merit does he have to join the outstanding youth selection?"

Mei Yueqin added, "Father, you can't avoid suspicion by completely ignoring our own people."

"Let me speak fairly, this is unfair to A An."

If Xixi Village truly selects an outstanding youth, besides Wu An, no one else qualifies.

Shen Nan's own outstanding youth selection, frankly, is a grab for Wu An.

Earlier, Lao Jiang was anxious to find him, holding that very thought.

Gu Anran stayed silent; brother and sister-in-law had already spoken, so she needn't add words—after all, the target is Wu An's father, and as a prospective daughter-in-law she must be cautious.

Wu Yingwei heavily set his cup down, "The town has a recommendation slot; I'm only responsible for writing the paperwork."

"I understand everything you said."

"I've also spoken with the leaders."

Wu Ping pressed, "And then?"

Previously he had a chance to become permanent; Wu Yingwei cited conflict‑avoidance, so he remains a privately‑run teacher. He could stay silent, but Wu An also suffers this grievance, and he can't remain indifferent.

Wu Yingwei said gloomily, "The town says it's already decided."

Wu An guessed the town leaders said more than that; Father's expression was clearly off, perhaps he was also taken to task.

Old Village Chief Shen is impressive.

The town leaders actually managed to take it that far for him.

If it weren't for him,

Shen Nan's path would certainly be completely smooth.

What a pity.

Shen Nan ran into him!

Wu An poured another drink for Father; although everyone was anxious for him, he instead said comforting words, "Father, stay calm."

"This is more than just an application."

"It's not that I have no chance."

As that saying goes, "No one lifts my soaring ambition; I climb the snowy peaks on my own."

Wu Yingwei shook his head, "What other chances are there? I asked; our town has only one recommendation slot."

Wu An smiled faintly, "I never said I'd go through the town's channel."

"Don't forget."

"After all, I'm a Party member."

Wu Yingwei asked curiously, "What channels do you have?"

Wu An replied, "Stop guessing; I have no backing."

"I don't know any relevant leaders who can submit a recommendation."

"But I can find a way to make my voice heard."

Wu Yingwei, confused, said, "What does that mean? Explain in detail."

Gu Anran looked curious, wanting to know what Wu An was scheming.

Wu An took a sip to lubricate his throat and said, "The honor of an outstanding youth is nothing but adding flowers to brocade."

"Don't be impatient."

"If it's not mine, give it to me; I don't covet it."

"If it's mine, no one can snatch it."

"Father, since someone wants to act behind the scenes, we should sharpen our minds; whoever steps on us, we'll crush their foot."

Wu Ping thought for a moment and laughed, "A An describes it well."

Mei Yueqin gave a thumbs‑up, "A An's words are inspiring."

"Your brother often says stay calm, that gold will eventually shine."

"I just can't feel it."

"Your brother really should be a good example for you."

"What is deserved should be striven for!"

Wu An smiled, "Never believe that gold will shine just because it's gold; if a piece of gold is covered by a rag, you either find a way to lift it, or a stone exposed to sunlight shines brighter."

Wu Ping was deeply shocked after listening.

Wu Yingwei also unexpectedly glanced at Wu An; the words were blunt, but after pondering, his mind kept racing.

"Makes sense, very much so!"

Wu Ping hesitated slightly, "A An, you're right."

However, you snatched this meat from Shen Nan's hands.

I'm afraid he won't finish calculating.

Wu An smiled and said: "Brother, if that kid Shen Nan had any sense, he'd know that the outstanding youths of our village have to line up behind me."

He's completely shameless.

What's there to be polite about with him?

He said these words rather rudely; in fact, he was also saying them for Father's benefit, so Father mustn't have any psychological burden.

It's not that we owe Shen Nan.

It was Shen Nan who struck first.

Then what's there to be polite about with him?

Wu Ping nodded thoughtfully, feeling enlightened.

Wu Yingwei drank silently.

Mei Yueqin beamed all over; having someone to back her up at home felt really good.

Gu Anran poured tea for Wu An; after saying so much, she moistened her throat. She really liked seeing Wu An's uninhibited demeanor—no matter when, he's always confident; if anyone offends him, it's definitely the other party's fault.

……

After eating.

Wu An drove to send Gu Anran.

Wu Yingwei said: "Just these two blocks— is it worth taking a car? Stopping and going along the way, it'd be better to ride an electric bike."

Wu An didn't have a chance to speak before Mei Yueqin said: "At night there's hardly anyone on the road; driving a tractor is fine."

This weather isn't good either.

What if it rains halfway?

Wu Yingwei looked up at the moon overhead; seeing not a single cloud, he doubted this was rain‑weather.

Wu An didn't waste words.

Drove, taking Gu Anran, and left.

Midway.

Looked for a place to stop.

Hemming and hawing, by the time they got home it was already an hour later.

Father and the older brother and his wife had already gone to bed.

He simply washed up, lay down on the bed, saw that it was already 10:30 pm, and directly called Lao Mai.

Lao Mai answered quickly.

Hello.

Fishing?

Yeah, after you left, the fish stopped biting soon, and Boss Gao and Qin Zong didn't stay long either.

You're not still fishing, are you?

I went home and had a meal.

"……" Wu An thought, "I'm impressed with you," but said aloud, "Give me Han Song's contact information."

Earlier, when the leadership came to the village for an inspection, he had Lao Mai invite Han Song for an interview; the interview piece still hasn't been published, which is fine—later we'll run it in multiple editions.

It's hard to think of a name for this.

Lao Mai said: "What's up again?"

Wu An smiled and said: "Good things are on the way."

Let him arrange another interview.

It's sure to be the kind of big news that makes the front page.

Lao Mai said: "You little troublemaker, always stirring things up—I'll look it up and send it over to you."

Wu An expressed his thanks.

Looking at it this way, capturing Ma Weiqun is a must.

Wu An gave a meaning‑filled smile: "Ma Weiqun, Ma Weiqun, I need you to help me cultivate!"